Pregnant, now what?

What you need to know in early pregnancy

Do you have a positive pregnancy test? Congratulations! Whether you are surprised or have been hoping for this for a long time, you are probably thinking now: “Pregnant, now what??”. What do you need to arrange, what can you do, and what should you avoid? And who do you call first? In this blog we’ll help you get started with everything important in those very first weeks of your pregnancy.

What should you do first when you are pregnant?

As soon as your pregnancy test is positive, there are a few things you should do right away:

• Call a midwifery practice to schedule your first appointment. You don’t need a referral from your GP. Looking for one in Amsterdam South? You are more than welcome with us!
• Start taking bioactive folic acid (400 micrograms per day) immediately if you haven’t already.
• Write down the first day of your last period, so you can calculate how far along you are in your pregnancy.

You don’t need to tell your employer or family yet. Do this when you feel ready. Officially, you must inform your employer 3 weeks before your maternity leave starts, so you still have plenty of time.

What happens in the first trimester of your pregnancy?

Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters of about 13 weeks each. In the first trimester, there is often little to see from the outside, but all your baby’s organs are already being formed in the basics. Your body also changes enormously from the inside, and you’ll likely notice that yourself. You may experience fatigue, morning sickness, and/or mood swings. There is also a somewhat higher risk of miscarriage at this stage. That’s why many women wait until after this trimester to share the news.

During this period you will have your first intake appointment with your midwife and your first ultrasound: the dating scan. This happens around 11 weeks and is meant to determine how far along the pregnancy is and what your due date will be. Want an earlier scan? That would be the viability scan, usually at 7 weeks. This is only done upon request or with a medical indication.

What should you avoid during the first months of pregnancy?

We won’t tell you what you are not “allowed” to do, but we do recommend avoiding the following because it can harm your baby’s development:

• Smoking, alcohol, energy drinks, and drugs
• Raw meat and raw fish (unless you’re sure it’s fresh that day)
• Liver (and liver products max. once a day)
• More than 3 cups of coffee per day
• Medication without consulting your GP or midwife
• Contact sports (such as kickboxing) and working with chemicals

This doesn’t just apply to the first months. Your baby is especially vulnerable then, but it’s better to avoid the above throughout your pregnancy for the healthiest possible start. Unsure about something? Give us a call, we’re always here for you.

What should you arrange after a positive pregnancy test?

Don’t worry, you still have a few months. You don’t need to have everything sorted right away, but some things are best arranged early. For example:

• Call a midwifery practice to get acquainted and schedule your first appointment (usually between weeks 6 and 9).
• Arrange maternity care. You can do this in the second trimester, but maternity care agencies are getting busier. Want a specific maternity nurse? Then arrange this as soon as possible.
• Sign up for childcare such as a daycare. Waiting lists are often long, so the earlier, the better.
• Live as healthily as possible — it’s not only good for your baby, it will also make you feel better. Keep moving, stop smoking and drinking, and choose healthy food and supplements such as bioactive folic acid, vitamin D, or a prenatal multivitamin.
• It’s also useful to inform your health insurance of your pregnancy. They can tell you what coverage and reimbursements you’re entitled to. This doesn’t have to be immediate, but do it before the 16th week.

What should you do if you think you’re pregnant?

Do you suspect you’re pregnant but not sure yet? Take a pregnancy test, preferably in the morning. This test measures the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. You can do this from the day your period is due. Want to know earlier? Take an early pregnancy test, which can be about 4 to 6 days earlier. How that works, you can read in this blog we wrote earlier.

When should you tell people you’re pregnant?

Many women wait to share the news until after their first ultrasound, usually around 11 weeks. Others wait until after the first trimester (13 weeks), as the risk of miscarriage decreases significantly after that. But there are no fixed rules. You decide when and with whom you share the news. What matters is that it feels right for you.

Frequently asked questions about early pregnancy

Who should I call after a positive pregnancy test?

Call a midwifery practice near you as soon as possible. You don’t need a GP referral. In Amsterdam South, you can book your first appointment at our locations on Churchilllaan and Willemsparkweg.

How far along am I with a positive test?

Usually about 4 to 5 weeks. The count starts from the first day of your last period, not from conception.

What is the 5-1-1 rule in pregnancy?

It’s a guideline for when to call the midwife or hospital during labor: contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour.

What is the chance of miscarriage?

In the first trimester, the chance of miscarriage is about 10 to 15%. This is usually beyond your control. Still, taking good care of yourself with rest, healthy nutrition, and proper guidance is always beneficial for you and your baby.

Just found out you’re pregnant? We’re here for you in Amsterdam South

Pregnant, now what? You are warmly welcome in our practice. We’re here for you with clear information, your first scan, an intake appointment, and all the guidance you need. Personal, with full attention for you.